Des Moines Passes Historic Sustainability Goals

Des Moines IA

20 January, 2021

5:37 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Des Moines: January 19, 2021 DES MOINES, IOWA — Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 – A first for environmental goals in the United States was recently achieved by the City of Des Moines. A resolution passed unanimously by Council members establishes goals that would achieve for Des Moines 100%, 24/7 carbon-free electricity by the year 2035 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. "I want to commend and thank our Council for the passage of this resolution, it signals the City's commitment to a clean energy future and ensures that all residents have access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy," said Mayor Frank Cownie. "We hope this resolution conveys to other cities that bold action is necessary as we strive to limit climate change and prevent further warming." Des Moines has seen an increase in major disaster events including the derecho of 2020, and the flooding of 2018. Prolonged changes to climate are being felt as well with extended droughts and more extreme temperatures. For decades, Mayor Cownie has championed sustainability. He pledged to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement and established the Taskforce on Sustainability. Cownie is currently the Interim President of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI International) This press release was produced by the City of Des Moines. The views expressed here are the author's own.